Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (1/11/08) – Senior Tyler Burton (Langley, B.C.) recorded the second hat trick of his career, but it was not enough as Union upset Colgate, 5-4, in men’s hockey on Friday, Jan. 11, at Messa Rink. The win was the first for the Dutchmen (7-8-3, 2-3-2 ECAC Hockey) over the Raiders (7-9-3, 1-4-2 ECAC Hockey) in five years.

Colgate found itself in a big hole early in the game, as Union scored three times before eight minutes had ticked off the clock. The Dutchmen’s first goal came at the 1:43 mark. Its top line rushed into the zone, with senior Josh Coyle carrying the puck. He passed it ahead to junior captain Matt Cook, who barreled toward the net on the right side. As he reached the hash marks, he crossed the puck to sophomore Jason Walters on the opposite side, and Walters tucked it under the crossbar to put the home team up 1-0.

Less than a minute later, Union scored off a faceoff to take a 2-0 lead. Freshman Stephane Boileau won the draw to junior Brendan Milnamow at the left point, and he shot on net. As the puck neared the cage, freshman Adam Presizniuk redirected it past Colgate senior goaltender Mark Dekanich (North Vancouver, B.C.) for his third goal of the year.

The Dutchmen used a power play to score its third goal of the night. After regaining control in the zone, Walters sent the puck up to junior Lane Caffaro at the top of the slot. Caffaro fired a rocket toward the net, and the puck went past Dekanich off the elbow of freshman John Simpson, who was camped out in front of the goal.

The Raiders regrouped, and scored a power-play goal of their own with just over four minutes to play in the opening period. Junior Peter Bogdanich (Burnaby, B.C.) carried the puck over the blue line, and dropped it off for freshman Wade Poplawski (Winnipeg, Man.). Poplawski shot on goal, and Union freshman goalie Corey Milan made the save, but gave up the rebound. Senior Tyler Burton (Langley, B.C.) was there to take advantage, and scored his ninth goal of the season. It was Colgate’s first power-play goal in its last 22 chances.

Colgate edged Union 2-1 during the second period to make it a one-goal game heading into the final frame. The Raiders earned their second goal of the night thanks to a Dutchman turnover in their defensive end. Junior Nick St. Pierre (St. Etienne, Que.) took control of the puck, and shot on net from point-blank range. Milan made the save, but the rebound went behind him where sophomore Jason Williams (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) swept it over the goal line.

Union responded four minutes later to retake the two-goal lead. After a Raider turnover at their own blueline, the Dutchmen broke toward the other end on a 2-on-1. Boileau skated in with the puck along the right boards, and drew the defender to him before crossing the puck to Caffaro, who scored backdoor.

With less than three minutes to play in the period, Colgate made it a one-goal game once again. Senior captain Jesse Winchester (Long Sault, Ont.) won a hard-fought battle along the right boards, and got the puck out to Bogdanich. Bogdanich took the puck behind the net, and passed it in front to Burton, who beat Milan for his second goal of the night.

The Dutchmen earned some breathing space with their fifth goal, which came with less than four minutes remaining in regulation. Presizniuk skated in on the right side, and passed the puck to sophomore Mario Valery-Trabucco, who had a shot blocked in the right circle. However, sophomore Mike Schreiber picked up the rebound and beat Dekanich glove-side.

Burton completed the hat trick just 41 seconds later to give the Raiders one more chance at tying the game. Winchester and Bogdanich set up the goal, which was Colgate’s second power-play score of the night.

Milan earned the win for Union after making 22 saves, while Dekanich finished the contest with 26 stops. Colgate won the battled in the faceoff circle, 38-22, including 17-3 in the third period. Union outshot Colgate 31-26 on the evening. The Raiders were 2-for-7 on the power play, while the Dutchmen were 1-for-3.

Colgate will look for the weekend split when it completes its trip to the Capital District at Rensselaer on Saturday, Jan. 12. Game time is 7:00 p.m.